Fox on a Boat

Sitting On A Bench In The Park On A Sunny Day A book in my hand, I observed the geese Ambling over to me by the bench, Hissing. A row of pointed teeth. Sprays of water shooting  up Glittering drops falling on sensible ducks. They cut the water as they swim. A man sat on the bench next to me - in his hand a notebook. "Do you come here often?" he asks. I question my instinct. Ravens caw loudly above, a whole crew of them circling the area. Black against the yellow sun. I look like a foreigner, an artist. It is the man, he has said so. My metal badges clink as I retrieve a pen from my bag, my metal badges are my foreigner's label

Image from Pixabay - Free to use Day four of NaPoWriMo! I used the prompt today - at least I tried! My poem is probably not that mysterious... ;) Canvas City Past the train tracks Disused buildings in grey Used at dusk. Worn clothes as our uniform, dust mask, a bandanna in black. A clattering of containers and a click of lid removed Chase that grey away, art warriors of the night!

Oh, day three - I still feel so rusty from such a long absence - I realised I did not even participate in NaPo last year! I am not even sure why... In any case, today's poem is a serious flop. But I said I'd write a poem a day. I didn't say I'd write a good one every day..  Ceramic Painting As the sun shines hot and bright Music to my ears is the sound of ceramic tiles pushed into a scattered pile waiting for a colour treatment

Image from Pixabay (Free for commercial use) Day 2 - did not use the NaPoWriMo prompt, but was inspired by an image brought to mind after listening to a song. Short poem for today. 45 Electric crackle through the soul Dusty shafts in gloomy rooms The needle drops, commence the sound Whirring, purring, round and around.

Hello folks! It's April, which means one thing! POEMS!! I'm back for another edition of NaPoWriMo, and this year I am so going to get that poem a day! I'm starting things off with a short and sweet haibun , courtesy of yesterday's early bird prompt on the NaPoWriMo blog. A quick and simple poem to easy myself into the challenge. Day 1 - Haibun The sun peeps tentatively through the clouds, early morning teacup on the edge of the counter. Skin smelling of olives. The day bursts with promise, but off to work they go. Birds chirp at the breeze April around the corner Promise of freedom

Sad Haiku Sun came out today That will be excuse For lacking poems. No prompt, no nothing.. I'm a little dried up on ideas and it's only day eight! Hope to get back on track soon..

Stargazing in the Sahara Desert wind pushing hair strands We adjust our scarves, pull hoods, lie back, muscles stiff from the climb. Metres high with sand in our socks, Gaze at the tents, tiny below, Stare at the stars, tiny, above. -- Prompt from Imaginary Garden , also shared with NaPoWriMo. Feel free to link up your blog here

Days crawl, A trail of poured treacle. How many clouds have I seen pass By these windows I've opened and shut again— Count how many times—I've walked from door To bed, to window, to door - how many steps Taken in this temporary home, this land. How many months to make A citizen? -- Prompt:  Imaginary Garden's Flash 55 prompt . I'm using Sunday's prompt, but technically this is Friday's poem since I'm catching up. Feel free to link up your blog post here!

Time Passes, Stars Remain There was the Grande Ourse Recognisable by her Wagon shape, count three stars from the corner whilst the cold envelops you and you look so intensely your eyes almost make it to space. And at night, when all was quiet, you slipped out of bed. bare feet on the tiles, you skipped to the safety of the rug. Your brother's night light the way to freedom. With a blanket on your back, facing the heater, you read and read, engrossed in worlds unknown but still, still, one foot and ear firmly in the present, listening for trouble. Then there was the car, and the woods, and driving home at night with the radio playing soft songs of the past, and you, yes, the melancholic eight year old (perhaps a little too melancholic, maybe, a strange, grown up child) watching through the window, the stars, the night sky, that big expanse of unknown, enveloping the safe haven of the car. -- Combined the prompts from NaPo...

Prompt from NaPoWriMo : Write a poem of negation. Also shared with  Imaginary Garden . It does not softly Brush against your face as you sleep Ringing at dawn, warning "It's time to go to work!" No, it doesn't flutter slowly in the breeze Or supports your weight as you Laze in August's radiant heat - It doesn't cool you down. Rolling around on two or three wheels It does not do, no, it doesn't swim Gracefully in ponds or lakes, Doesn't soak up water like a towel. It will not keep your milk Cold and fresh, or store your cereal in airtight packaging. It does not function without electricity, It has yet to use wind energy. -- Click here to access the linky widget and add your link! Please comment on this post after adding a link. Thank you!

Finishing off the month with something a little simpler.. -- Lanturne #1 Stars Comfort Remind you You are always Loved -- Lanturne #2 Skies Contain Hope and peace Watch the birds, they Know -- Lanturne #3 Cat Whiskers Find their way Sensors, almost Radars -- Yes, I did somewhat get lazy towards the end.. but it is 23:42 and I think it's fair to say I'm a little tired! It was a fun month, anyhow. Better than last year in numbers! Disclaimer: These are poems I won't be spending a lot of time on. As such, I don't expect perfection (neither do I need it). However feel free to tell me what you think about them, and if you enjoy certain lines more than others - I'm quite OK with constructive criticism! Are you participating in NaPo? Do you write poetry? Feel free to comment below and leave a link to your day one poems, and any general comments you wish to leave.

Little Prince by Antoine de St Exupery From Imaginary Garden' s prompt: "For your word list challenge today, I ask that you write an original poem (or re-work an older pen) in the spirit of the book, using at least 3 of these words, post to Mr. Linky, and then return to visit and comment on all the other posts. I'll be sure to visit periodically in the days to come in case you choose to join later." The list: primeval, adventures, grown-ups, clad, reputation, ephemeral, flower, lucky, poison, stars, bank, forget, odd, million, reflective, trouble, baobabs, silence, naive, explorer. -- "Mon étoile, ça sera pour toi une des étoiles. Alors, toutes les étoiles, tu aimeras les regarder… Elles seront toutes tes amies." - Le Petit Prince, Antoine de Saint-Exupéry -- Stars When all else in life fails Look at the stars Each and every star Has a name, never forgotten. You are worthy of a million stars Never for...

A pond in Roehampton - photo by me These three were also written in the park. It's not easy writing good poems after a month!  -- Wicklow Lune There's a hill Where travellers go, seeking truth I have Wicklow -- (Following the 2,4,6,8,2 word pattern) Wicklow Cinquain Next year When memories have faded I'll paint Wicklow on the wall Pretend the secrets it contains are all mine - Forget yours. -- Reading Rilke Rilke had it right, with his ideas of love. "For holding on comes easily; we do not need to learn it.”  The night transforms it, it seeps through the walls. Laying alone with thoughts for company Love the other side of Earth, A young poet waits for letters -- Disclaimer: These are poems I won't be spending a lot of time on. As such, I don't expect perfection (neither do I need it). However feel free to tell me what you think about them, and if you enjoy certain lines more than othe...

Lake under the sun - photo by me Three poems for the price of one.. I went cycling earlier, and enjoyed the sunshine in one of our many London parks, and wrote poems.. -- Goodbye to April May around the corner Once again noses run Sneezes around but The sun makes it worthwhile. The lake shimmers this final April afternoon. I sit and write poems. -- The Dark Side of the Sun A group of people are cooking a BBQ and I sit close-by to admire the park and the beauty of hot spring days. These are the days where happiness resides But did you know suicide rates go up in May? -- End of Month Haiku Sparkling sunlit lake May the other side of Earth Time to change my life -- Disclaimer: These are poems I won't be spending a lot of time on. As such, I don't expect perfection (neither do I need it). However feel free to tell me what you think about them, and if you enjoy certain lines more than others - I'm quit...

Modified prompt from day twenty. Writing in the voice of another person. -- Words From The Other Side Of course I don't hate you or forget you but I cannot change my mind At this time Yes I too have my silly head problems and Cannot get past this block But one day I'll wake up who knows and remember you for you Now, I can only love you From afar. -- Disclaimer: These are poems I won't be spending a lot of time on. As such, I don't expect perfection (neither do I need it). However feel free to tell me what you think about them, and if you enjoy certain lines more than others - I'm quite OK with constructive criticism! Are you participating in NaPo? Do you write poetry? Feel free to comment below and leave a link to your day one poems, and any general comments you wish to leave.

Picture from Wikimedia Commons  Today, I attempt to catch up and write all remaining poems.. This one is promptless, free verse.. -- Which Love Do You Choose? Perhaps love could be like a bowl Handed down generation to generation Beautiful and fragile Do you set it on your shelf Run the risk of breakage Or keep it under lock and key Carefully wrapped but Hiding the beauty? I don't choose love's bowl But rather I prefer love's flowers That come and go but stay in your mind Growing wildly on sides of roads Asking nothing but giving joy I don't need to hold on to those flowers To know their value and beauty -- Disclaimer: These are poems I won't be spending a lot of time on. As such, I don't expect perfection (neither do I need it). However feel free to tell me what you think about them, and if you enjoy certain lines more than others - I'm quite OK with constructive criticism! Are you participating in NaP...

Picture from Wikimedia Commons  Shared with Imaginary Garden "Talk to the animals in poetic form" Please come out earlier So the light can capture your photographs My cubs / need to be safe / in the dark / no danger I would never hurt you I watch you from a distance I admire your cunning eyes We fight different wars / your kind is not mine / we are your vermin I've always loved you and your kind I would never call you vermin Your fire coat is beauty and grace I fight a solitary battle / no one by my side / to read me my rights I am sorry on behalf of my kind We have stolen your land Complaining of your kind I am not one of them Dear human, I cannot trust / but I thank you / for keeping your distance One by one the little family retires beneath the bushes -- Disclaimer: These are poems I won't be spending a lot of time on. As such, I don't expect perfection (neither do I need it). Howe...

From Wikimedia Commons Shared with Poets United I thought I'd try my hand at lunes again. This poem can have a deeper metaphorical meaning if you want.. or not.. It's up to you I guess.. ;) -- As you sit Enjoy the silence and peace Sip your tea Turn off phones Disconnect from the outside world Drink your tea Discover new books Stories you didn't know existed Enjoy your tea Smile at memories Cry a little bit, too No more tea -- Disclaimer: These are poems I won't be spending a lot of time on. As such, I don't expect perfection (neither do I need it). However feel free to tell me what you think about them, and if you enjoy certain lines more than others - I'm quite OK with constructive criticism! Are you participating in NaPo? Do you write poetry? Feel free to comment below and leave a link to your day one poems, and any general comments you wish to leave.

Little owl in Texas As We Walked Home Sitting atop the fence a tiny baby owl eyes narrowed as we shine a torch Staring -- Disclaimer: These are poems I won't be spending a lot of time on. As such, I don't expect perfection (neither do I need it). However feel free to tell me what you think about them, and if you enjoy certain lines more than others - I'm quite OK with constructive criticism! Are you participating in NaPo? Do you write poetry? Feel free to comment below and leave a link to your day one poems, and any general comments you wish to leave.

Shared with Poets United -- Chemistry Class We make rocket water bottles and set our hands on fire without burning them. Our crazy teacher shouts a lot And throws pens across the room  When they don't work. Chemistry is rather like comedy And yes I feel smug about being The only one who understands his swearing In French. And that he doesn't know. But then it's all bonds and ions and rules and experiments that fail if you misread by point zero zero of.. something.. I fill card after card of info, and revise test after test struggling Then forget it all promptly the minute we move on. Still I look back With a smile Liquids changing colour Spontaneous combustion Forget the hours of boring lecture.. I held fire in my hand. -- Disclaimer: These are poems I won't be spending a lot of time on. As such, I don't expect perfection (neither do I need it). However feel free to tell me what yo...